Archbishop Christodoulos receives Georgia Patriarch Ilya II
Georgia Patriarch Ilya II on Friday visited the Holy Synod.
The Patriarch of Georgia, who is currently on an official visit to Greece, was welcomed by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and the members of the Holy Synod.
In his address, Christodoulos referrred to the role of Orthodoxy, stressing that Orthodoxy ''is not offered with reference to the past, but with experience and action in the present.'' Today, the world measures everything through ''money'' but Orthodoxy should scorn ''this fake god,'' the Archbishop said.
On his part, Georgia Patriarch Ilya II said that ''during the present period in the Church and in our people there are many serious problems. I always think that these problems come from technical progress, but in reality they come from lack of spiritualism. Some believe that Orthodoxy is isolated. However, it is open and encloses all the world. It is more important for there to be an agreement between the Orthodox faithful.''
He further noted that ''the Greek Church and the Government should become an example for the rest of Orthodoxy.''
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY 14/05/2004
Parliament speaker receives visiting Georgia Patriarch Ilya II
Parliament speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki on Thursday received visiting Georgia Patriarch Ilya II in Parliament.
Patriarch Ilya was accompanied by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and metropolitans of the two Churches.
The very strong religious and cultural ties between Greece and Georgia and the good level of cooperation between the governments and parliaments of the two countries were reaffirmed during the visit.
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY 14/05/2004
President Stephanopoulos Met With the Patriarch of Georgia
The Patriarch of Georgia met with Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos who is on a formal visit to Greece for a second day. Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece accompanied the Patriarch of Georgia in his visit to the Presidential building in Athens.
President Stephanopoulos stated that he is happy for the visit because Georgia has close relations with Greece and the Patriarch is an exceptional personality.
Archbishop Christodoulos stated that the coordinated action of Orthodoxy cannot materialize if the love it preaches is not witnessed in Church relations.
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY 14/05/2004
